Cricket

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, has set its sights on retaining a strong core of players from last year's squad in the upcoming mega auction. Head coach Justin Langer revealed that the team's objective is to bring back as many players as possible who contributed to their success in the previous season.LSG has already retained five players, including four Indians and two uncapped players. The retained Indian players are Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Ayush Badoni, and Mohsin Khan. West Indian batter Nicholas Pooran is the only overseas player retained by the franchise."We are really pleased with announcing the four of the most talented Indian players in the country at the moment," Langer said. "We are setting a base for those strong Indian players... I'm excited about that."Pooran, known for his explosive batting, is a valuable addition to the LSG lineup. "Nicholas Pooran is a dynamic player in world cricket and we can't wait to see him in action again," Langer said.LSG released former captain KL Rahul before the retention deadline, leaving the team with a purse of Rs 69 crore for the mega auction. Rahul, who led LSG for three seasons, will now enter the auction pool."The retention for next year's IPL was really tough," Langer admitted. "There were lots of very careful deliberations, strong considerations to come up with the list of retentions."Pooran was retained for a whopping Rs 21 crore, making him one of the highest-paid players in the IPL. Bishnoi, Mayank, Mohsin, and Badoni were retained for Rs 11 crore each.LSG's focus on retaining a strong core of Indian players aligns with the franchise's long-term strategy. By building a solid foundation of talented domestic players, LSG aims to establish a competitive team that can challenge for the IPL title in the years to come.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have demonstrated their unwavering faith in their express bowler Mayank Yadav by retaining him for a staggering Rs 11 crore despite his injury-prone history. The franchise's co-owner, Shashwat Goenka, emphasized that Yadav's on-field contributions far outweigh his time spent on the sidelines.Yadav, who joined LSG in 2022, made his debut in 2024 and immediately showcased his exceptional pace, consistently exceeding 150kph. In his first two matches, he claimed Player of the Match honors with impressive performances of 3/27 against Punjab Kings and 3/14 against Royal Challengers Bangalore.Goenka acknowledged Yadav's injury history but stressed that it was not a decisive factor in their decision to retain him. "When he plays, what is the contribution he makes to the game and to LSG? That was the guiding principle behind keeping him," Goenka explained.Despite the challenges bowlers face in the high-scoring IPL, Goenka expressed confidence in Yadav's ability to handle the pressure. He cited the performances of Yadav and fellow young pacer Mohsin Khan in the death overs as evidence of their resilience.Yadav's retention is a testament to LSG's long-term vision and belief in his potential. The franchise is optimistic that he will continue to make significant contributions to their success in the years to come.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have announced their retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, prioritizing players who embody a winning mindset and team-first attitude. The franchise's owner, Sanjiv Goenka, emphasized the importance of retaining a strong core within the available purse.LSG's most notable retention is Nicholas Pooran, who has been secured for INR 21 crore. Goenka described Pooran as an "automatic choice" due to his exceptional performances and leadership qualities. The Trinidadian wicketkeeper-batter was LSG's second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2024, amassing 499 runs at a blistering strike rate of 178.Alongside Pooran, LSG has retained three bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, and Mohsin Khan. Bishnoi and Khan are both young and promising Indian spinners, while Yadav impressed in his IPL debut season with his raw pace and ability to swing the ball.Ayush Badoni, a versatile middle-order batter, has also been retained by LSG. Despite a modest run tally in IPL 2024, the franchise sees him as a long-term prospect due to his adaptability and potential to contribute in various roles.LSG's decision not to retain KL Rahul, their former captain, has raised eyebrows. Rahul was the team's leading run-scorer in IPL 2024, but his departure is seen as a strategic move to free up salary space and allow the franchise to build a more balanced squad.With five players retained at a total cost of INR 51 crore, LSG has INR 69 crore remaining to spend at the mega auction. The franchise has one right-to-match option, which they can use to buy back one of their capped players if they are not picked up by another team.LSG's retentions reflect their commitment to building a competitive team that can challenge for the IPL title. By prioritizing players with a winning mindset and a team-first approach, the franchise hopes to create a cohesive unit that can achieve success in the upcoming season.

Mayank Yadav's Injury Woes Continue, Sidelined for Months with Back ProblemIndian speedster Mayank Yadav's promising international debut has been cut short by a back injury, ruling him out of the upcoming four-match T20I series against South Africa. The 25-year-old, who impressed with his pace and accuracy in the recent series against Bangladesh, is now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.Sources close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have revealed that Yadav's back issue is likely to keep him out of action for several months. The bowler is currently undergoing treatment at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru."He's back here for another problem, which might keep him out for two-three months. Mostly it's something related to the back, but there's not much clarity into it. But then, it's also something which is believed to keep him out for a considerable amount of time," a source told IANS.Yadav's injury setback is a major blow to his burgeoning career. The Delhi-born pacer has faced several injury challenges in the past, including a torn hamstring that ruled him out of IPL 2023 and a separate injury that forced him to miss the entire 2023/24 Ranji Trophy season.Despite these setbacks, Yadav has shown resilience and determination to overcome adversity. He underwent extensive rehabilitation at the CoE following his abdominal strain in IPL 2024, where he impressed with his rapid three-wicket spells and speeds exceeding 150kmph.With the IPL retentions deadline approaching on October 31, Yadav is expected to be one of the five players retained by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The franchise acquired him for INR 20 lakhs in the auction before the 2022 season.Yadav's injury is a reminder of the physical demands of international cricket and the importance of injury prevention and management. The BCCI will be hoping that the young pacer can recover fully and return to the field stronger than ever before.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have finalized their retention plans for the upcoming IPL 2025 season, with Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, and Ayush Badoni set to remain with the franchise.Pooran, the explosive West Indian batter, is expected to be the highest-paid retention, followed by Mayank and Bishnoi. Pooran has been a key contributor for LSG, scoring 306 runs in 14 matches in 2024 and leading the team as interim captain during KL Rahul's absence.Mayank, a promising young fast bowler, has impressed with his pace and accuracy. Despite playing only four matches in 2024 due to injury, he has earned a national call-up and is considered a potential future star.Bishnoi, a leg-spinner, has been a consistent performer for LSG, taking 16 wickets in 2023 and playing a crucial role in the team's playoff run.Badoni, a middle-order batter, has shown his potential with aggressive performances, scoring 238 runs in 12 innings in 2023. Mohsin, a left-arm fast bowler, has also been impressive, taking 14 wickets in nine matches in his debut IPL season in 2022.With these five players retained, LSG will have one right-to-match (RTM) card at the auction. The exact amount paid to the retained players is not yet known, but it is estimated to be around INR 51 crore, which will be deducted from LSG's purse.

Team India Suffers Setback as Mayank Yadav Ruled Out of South Africa SeriesNew Delhi: Indian cricket has suffered a significant blow with the news that tearaway pacer Mayank Yadav will miss the upcoming four-match T20I series against South Africa due to injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member squad for the series, which begins on November 8, confirming Mayank's absence.Mayank, who made his international debut in the recent home T20Is against Bangladesh, has been plagued by recurring injuries. An abdominal muscle issue forced him to miss the entire Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.Despite his injury woes, Mayank made a striking tournament debut for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2023. He consistently bowled at speeds over 150 kph and earned the Player of the Match award in his first two games.In his four overs against Gujarat Titans, Mayank claimed 3 wickets for 27 runs, reaching a top speed of 155.8 kph. In his second IPL game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), he improved upon that, clocking 156.7 kph - the fastest ball recorded in IPL 2023.Mayank consistently exceeded the 150 kph mark, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 14 in his four overs. Notably, he became the first player in IPL history to win the Player of the Match award in his first two matches.In the squad announcement, India included all-rounder Ramandeep Singh and pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak. Notably, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Reddy, who featured in the Bangladesh T20Is, are absent as they will be traveling to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Meanwhile, spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel, along with pacers Yash Dayal and Avesh Khan, have been added to the squad.Mayank's absence is a major setback for Team India, who will be looking to build on their recent success against Bangladesh. The pacer's ability to bowl at high speeds and generate swing would have been a valuable asset against South Africa's strong batting lineup.

Brett Lee, the legendary Australian fast bowler, has urged India to consider Mayank Yadav as a potential replacement for Mohammed Shami in their squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Lee believes Yadav's raw pace and potential on bouncy wickets make him a valuable asset for India.Shami's fitness remains a concern, and Lee believes Yadav could step up in his absence. "He looks like someone who is a complete package," Lee said. "If Mohammed Shami is not ready, at least get him (Mayank) in the squad. I think he would do pretty well on these Australian wickets."Lee, who has witnessed Yadav's impressive performances in the IPL, highlighted his ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 150 kmph. "He hit 157 kmph first up in his first game," Lee said. "I don't care who it is, no one wants to face that."India's bowling attack boasts world-class talent, including Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. Lee believes the combination of these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner is crucial for India's success in Australia."On wickets like Perth, Adelaide, for me it's the combination, these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner," Lee said. "You need to have those three quicks firing if India wants to win."Lee also praised India's overall strength as a team, describing them as a "powerhouse that don't want to bow down." He cautioned Australia against underestimating India's ability to win on any given day."They know how to win, and they know they can beat Australia; they know they can beat the Kiwis," Lee said. "They know they can beat anyone on any given day."Lee's comments come after India's eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test. He believes India may have been influenced by the aggressive approach of 'Bazball,' leading to some loose shots."Maybe it's Bazball brushing off on other cricketers around the world," Lee noted. "I know that India won't be proud of the way they played. They played some pretty loose shots."India will play two more Tests against New Zealand before leaving for Australia. Lee believes the team needs to better assess conditions and weigh the risk factor when making decisions.

Indian pace spearhead Mohammad Shami has hailed young pace sensation Mayank Yadav as the future of Indian bowling, highlighting the depth and talent within the team's pace attack.Shami, who has recently declared himself fully fit and ready to bowl, believes that youngsters like Yadav and Harshit Rana possess the potential to carry forward the legacy of Indian pace bowling. The 34-year-old, who played the 2023 ODI World Cup with an injury, was instrumental in India's runner-up finish, taking 24 wickets at an astonishing average of 10.70."The best thing that has happened for Indian cricket is that our pace bowling strength has really gone up," Shami said at an event organized by Eugenix Hair Sciences in Gurugram. "Earlier, we used to have only a few bowlers who used to bowl 140-145 km/h, but now even those bowlers who are on the bench are bowling above 145. One of the names that have really impressed me in pace bowling is Mayank Yadav. He is really impressive, he is someone who will carry the baton of Indian pace bowling in the future."Shami's praise for Yadav is a testament to the young pacer's impressive performances in recent times. Yadav, who made his international debut in 2022, has quickly established himself as a reliable option for the Indian team, showcasing his ability to swing the ball both ways and generate good pace.Shami's return to full fitness is a major boost for the Indian team, especially with the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia on the horizon. The veteran pacer has been working diligently on his recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru after undergoing surgery in February in London."I have worked as a unit since 2014," Shami said. "India never had three bowlers at a time who could bowl over 140kph. Now we have some on the bench who can bowl 145kph. This generation knows how to fight back, and we've shown that overseas."Shami's return to action will provide the Indian team with a much-needed boost, as they look to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from Australia. The pacer's experience and skill will be invaluable in the challenging conditions of Australia, where the ball often swings and seams.

Indian cricket witnessed the electrifying debut of young pacer Mayank Yadav in the T20I series opener against Bangladesh in Gwalior. The 22-year-old, who missed out on a potential breakout season in the Indian Premier League due to injury, made his mark on the international stage with an impressive performance.Mayank's debut was made even more memorable when former India spinner Murali Kartik, who was commentating on the series, handed him his T20I cap. Kartik later revealed that India head coach Gautam Gambhir had asked him to present the cap to Mayank, a gesture that touched him deeply."What a memorable day for this Speed Merchant #MayankYadav...it took me back 25 yrs when I received my cap from Sachin & Kapil paaji... A touching moment for me personally to be asked to present the cap by @GautamGambhir...a wonderful gesture," Kartik tweeted.Mayank's debut was a testament to his raw pace and precision. He was handed the ball in the final over of the powerplay and delivered a maiden over, becoming only the third Indian cricketer to achieve this feat in their first T20I over.Mayank's pace was too much for Bangladesh's batsmen to handle. He added a wicket to his name, dismissing experienced all-rounder Mahmudullah with a scorching 146.1kph delivery. The pace and accuracy of his bowling helped India restrict Bangladesh to a modest total of 127.India chased down the target with ease, winning by 7 wickets with plenty of overs to spare. Mayank's impressive debut was a major contributing factor to India's victory. He finished with figures of 1/21 in his four-over spell, showcasing his potential as a future star of Indian cricket.